Federal Hill gets ‘Spring Fever’ with late night of shopping

by Mary Helen Sprecher
newsroom@baltimoreguide.com

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If the early bird gets the worm, what does the night owl get?

Good deals from local merchants, according to Federal Hill Main Streets. The organization is hosting its Spring Fever event on Friday, May 18. Stores will stay open from 8 p.m.-midnight.

The event mirrors some aspects of the Moonlight Madness program, held around the holidays, according to Anna Farr, an assistant with Federal Hill Main Streets.
“It’s a sister promotion,” Farr said. “It’s the same kind of deal. There will be progressive discounts as the night goes on.”

In other words, the later shoppers stay out, the better the deals.

The program will take advantage of warmer temperatures by having acoustic musicians scattered throughout the area. Many merchants will also be offering refreshments.

The question is, however, why now? It’s after Mother’s Day, and certainly there are no big gift-giving holidays lurking.

Organizers counter that gifts for dads and grads are going to be necessary, and that this being wedding season, it’s still a good time of year to be shopping.

“We actually gave a lot of thought to the time and date (of this event). It’s more of a risk because there’s not one big shopping day coming up,” admitted Bonnie Crockett of Federal Hill Main Streets. “But we want people to be aware of all the wonderful shopping in Federal Hill. There’s a lot of night life here, and we can make this part of it. This should be a really pleasant night.”

Federal Hill Main Streets has negotiated for free parking in the garage on Cross Street. (The meters along the street, Crockett added, are not in effect after 6 p.m. either).

“This is a great way to get people out and about and enjoying our neighborhood,” she said. “We have 14 new retailers this year. There are more business owners here than ever before. “

Last spring, Federal Hill Main Streets offered a “Moms on Main Street” promotion in time for Mother’s Day, with special discounts on Mom-related items.

Problem was, said Crockett, that didn’t really benefit everyone.

“Mother’s Day really limited the number of participants. I mean, the cigar shops—Mother’s Day was just not their thing.”

Note: Federal Hill Main Streets presents its Spring Fever program on Friday, May 18, with stores staying open 8 p.m.-midnight. Info: www.historicfederalhill.org.